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{
"id": 1566112,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566112/?format=api",
"text_counter": 162,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, sir. This is one of the crucial matters. The reason the Senate exists is to address the Division of Revenue Bill (National Assembly Bills No.10 of 2025), which is a precursor to the Financial Year 2025/2026. It is very critical that at this time we are discussing the Division of Revenue under Article 210. It provides that at least 15 per cent should be allocated from the latest audited accounts. I want to join my colleagues in urging the National Assembly to move with speed. It does not make sense that we now have a budget of Kshs4 trillion, yet the proposal is to allocate only Kshs405 billion to counties. I urge the National Assembly to fast-track the process and ensure that the latest audited account is less than one financial year. I hope the nation is following these proceedings. We have proposed that counties must receive at least Kshs465 billion. As we proceed to mediation, the Senate's position must stand to ensure that counties receive Kshs465 billion. This is an increase from the Kshs370 billion allocated in the Financial Year 2024/2025. Counties have many responsibilities and require adequate funding to ensure effective service delivery. Yesterday, during the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) meeting in Mombasa, I heard the National Assembly’s Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Planning argue that counties should not receive additional funds due to corruption. However, corruption exists everywhere, including in both national and county governments. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1566113,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566113/?format=api",
"text_counter": 163,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "That is one of the weakest excuses I have ever heard. The Chair of Finance and Economic Planning, during the ICPAK meeting in Mombasa claimed that counties should not receive more money due to corruption yet, as the Majority Leader mentioned yesterday, corruption is widespread. They say that before you kill a dog, you first give it a bad name. That is what the National Assembly is trying to do. I agree with the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga that all funds should be allocated to only two offices; the National Executive and the Governor. I urge Members of the National Assembly who want to manage funds to run for only those two seats; Governor or President. The Constitution is very clear, as stated in Articles 94 and 96, that the role of Parliament is legislation, oversight, budget-making and representation. There is wisdom in why the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 ensured that Parliament should carry out these duties. This is because one cannot oversee oneself. As they say in Kiswahili, and I quote,"
},
{
"id": 1566114,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566114/?format=api",
"text_counter": 164,
"type": "scene",
"speaker_name": "",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "“Mganga hajigangi”."
},
{
"id": 1566115,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566115/?format=api",
"text_counter": 165,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "That is the essence of the National Assembly to oversee the National Executive, while the Senate and county assemblies to oversee the governors. I do not see any reason for the National Assembly to argue that counties should receive less funding due to corruption. We have institutions like the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to deal with such issues. You have seen the Governor of Trans Nzoia County arrested and arraigned before a court of law. Just the other day, the former Governor of Busia County was taken to court over an anti-corruption case involving Kshs8 million. Several governors are currently facing corruption allegations, with cases being prosecuted by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the EACC. We cannot allow anyone to derail devolution just so they can centralize funds. In fact, my hope for the future is that we must devolve sufficient funds and resources to counties to the extent that no one is overly concerned about who becomes the President of Kenya. That is my dream. I would like to see Kenya where, when you are in Meru, your people are satisfied and your county’s resources are well managed. Over the weekend, I was disappointed that the County Government of Garissa, led by the Governor, organized a cultural festival, yet the city lacks water and even clean toilets. It is unfortunate that they have not even completed the Baraki-Malamin Water Project, 56 kilometres of water infrastructure that was valued at Kshs219 million. Instead, they are focusing on a cultural festival. In fact, Garissa County has 17 stalled projects, totalling Kshs504 million yet, they have millions of shillings available for cultural events. These individuals should be called out because they are giving devolution a bad name. In fact, they allocated Kshs34 million to purchase food for flood victims in Garissa. However, that money should be used fairly and transparently to ensure real value. When we intervened in Meru by removing the former Governor, it was to restore order and sanity. I therefore call out governors who tarnish the name of devolution. That is why devolution is under threat from certain individuals. Therefore, as a nation, we must agree that funds should be allocated to counties in a manner that guarantees value for money. Secondly, I have observed that as of March and April, equitable shareable revenue has not been disbursed to counties. There is Kshs74.98 billion yet to be released. Under Article 219, and the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1566116,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566116/?format=api",
"text_counter": 166,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "should be aware of this, that once money has been allocated, it must be disbursed without undue delay, unless halted under Article 225. The Constitution only envisions withholding funds when Article 225 applies. The violation of Article 219 is concerning. I recall that we did not sanction the former Cabinet Secretary, Ukur Yatani, over delays in county disbursements. I commend the National Treasury for releasing approximately Kshs22 billion in capitation fees for the second term of schools. However, they must also release the Kshs74.98 billion owed to counties from February, March and April to ensure that county functions can proceed seamlessly. Apart from addressing corruption and ensuring prudent expenditure by counties, we must reach a consensus as a nation. As we proceed into mediation, we must agree that our position as the Senate is to push for Kshs465 billion. Members of the Senate Committee on Finance and Budget who are here should take note of that. The other issue concerns concurrent functions. We need to have clarity on Community Health Promoters (CHPs) programmes. In various counties, CHPs have not been paid. Additionally, there is the issue of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). I hope you have noticed that whenever you drive into Parliament, UHC staff are always demonstrating. You have even directed from your seat that we receive their Petition. These are the people who stood at the frontlines while soldiers remained in their barracks and while powerful men and women sought shelter during the COVID-19 crisis. It is only these heroines and heroes of Kenya who bravely confronted the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. It is sad today that the country does not see the value of the UHC staff. The other day the Council of Governors (COGs) said they do not have a budget. They were arguing that they gave us a pet to take home, but it turned into a skunk or they gave us a skunk to take home and turn it into a pet. I want to challenge the National Assembly, that under the conditional grants, we should give at least Kshs2 billion to ring fence the transition of UHC staff. They must first be given gratuity so that they can get value for money. The UHC workers are demonstrating daily. We must listen to them. If you can recall, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, was here last week. Although he said he does not take my counsel, but my counsel is rarely given and it is valuable."
},
{
"id": 1566117,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566117/?format=api",
"text_counter": 167,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Oketch Gicheru",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "On a point of information, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir."
},
{
"id": 1566118,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566118/?format=api",
"text_counter": 168,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Kathuri",
"speaker_title": "The Deputy Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " There is a point of information from Sen. Eddy Oketch."
},
{
"id": 1566119,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566119/?format=api",
"text_counter": 169,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "To who? To the House or me?"
},
{
"id": 1566120,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566120/?format=api",
"text_counter": 170,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Kathuri",
"speaker_title": "The Deputy Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Do you want to be informed?"
},
{
"id": 1566121,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566121/?format=api",
"text_counter": 171,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Yes."
}
]
}